Chamber Gets Governance Review Support

Posted on 5/25/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
It may be easier for Greater Vernon to have a governance review -- if a local business group gets its way. The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has got support from the BC Chamber delegates for its resolution calling on the province to take a more active role in regional governance reviews. “Provincial legislation is quite limiting in allowing for the exploration of different governance models that could achieve positive results for business in streamlining regulatory and development processes among neighbouring local government jurisdictions, says Matt Davidson, chair of GVCC’s policy advisory committee. “We appreciate that there are pros and cons related to different governance models but those can’t be examined if there is unwillingness by local governments to explore those ideas or if there is a lack of financial resources from the Province to undertake such reviews.” Chamber general manager Dan Rogers says they want changes that would allow the Province to initiate a study even if only one jurisdiction is interested in exploring the business case for changes. Vernon supported such a review last year, but the province wouldn't proceed as no other local communities backed it. BC chambers of commerce are holding their AGM in Prince George this week.